Blake moves into third round

Tuesday 29 January 2008 00:08 BST

James Blake advanced to the third round of the US Open on Thursday when Belgian Steve Darcis retired in the third set with the American leading 4-6 6-3 1-0.

The ninth seed had a lot more trouble with his first opponent in this hardcourt event. He committed 50 unforced errors and needed five sets to finish off compatriot Donald Young, 6-1 3-6 6-1 4-6 6-4, on Monday.

A quarter-finalist here in 2005 and 2006, Blake was eliminated in the fourth round at the US Open last year. The 28-year-old has yet to make it past the quarters in any major during his career, but has enjoyed the most success in this event.

Also on Thursday, fourth-seeded David Ferrer defeated German Andreas Beck 4-6 7-5 6-3 7-6 (7/5). The world number four, who reached the semi-finals here a year ago, Ferrer will next face Japan's Kei Nishikori, who won the first two sets (6-1 7-5) against Roko Karanusic before the Croatian retired.

Top-seeded Rafael Nadal, who is seeking his third consecutive major championship, squares off against American Ryler de Heart later on Thursday.

The world number one, Nadal has been on a roll in 2008. He captured his fourth straight French Open title, grabbed the crown at Wimbledon, took the gold at the Beijing Olympics and won five other titles this year.

Few tournaments have given Nadal more trouble than the US Open. The left-hander has never advanced further than the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows and was eliminated in the fourth round last year - Nadal's worst showing in a grand slam in each of the last three years.

The 22-year-old Spaniard needed to survive an early test in the first round, defeating German Bjorn Phau, 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 7-6 (7/4), on Monday.

Also on Thursday, seventh seed David Nalbandian of Argentina plays Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev. Number 10 seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland advanced with a 6-4 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 victory over American Wayne Odesnik.